Heavyweight champion Daniel DuBois withdraws from a boxing match against Saudi Arabia’s Joshua Parker due to illness.
World heavyweight champion Daniel DuBois withdraws from Saturday’s title defense against Joseph Parker after falling ill.
The 27-year-old, who holds the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title, was diagnosed with a medical checkup in Saudi Arabia and missed a press conference on Thursday evening, urging him to pull out the decision overnight. Details of his health have not been announced.
“If he’s sick, I hope he’s getting better soon. I look forward to Saturday and a great show,” says Parker, who is now facing last minute Congolese fighter Martin Bacall. I said that.
The British-born DuBois won the interim belt in June to beat Philip Fulgovic and was upgraded to champion when Olexandre Usaik opened the title for a rematch clause with Tyson Fury.
DuBois then defended the title in September by knocking out Briton Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in London.
Parker, a 33-year-old former world champion, won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title in 2016 by beating Mexico’s Andy Lewis. He lost the Joshua title in 2018.
Bakol was “on the way” from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Saudi Arabia, heavyweight promoter Ben Shalom told UK Sky Sports.
Promoter Frank Warren confirmed at a press conference on Thursday in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, that the no-show by DuBois was for a health check.
“Unfortunately, at this moment, Daniel is being evaluated by the doctors. When there is more news, we’ll share it with you and update you,” Warren told a news conference.
Joshua’s brutal five-round knockout, DuBois’ first title defense was staged in front of a record 96,000 fans in the British capital.
Saturday’s main attraction is a rematch between light-weight world champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Beterbiev became an indisputable champion after a controversial point decision over Vibor in October.
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